Maldivian hotel chain focus on the Nordic region despite Corona crisis

Adaaran Resorts in the Maldives, part of the Aitken Spence conglomerate, turns attention to the Nordics by appointing United Spirit Nordic as its Sales, Marketing, and PR agency.

Adaaran Club Rannalhi

The Maldives has managed relatively well during the pandemic

The Maldives has fared relatively well, during the Corona pandemic, where a total of 11,505 infections have been recorded. To date, only 37 fatalities have been reported, with 10,531 recoveries, leaving 937 cases active. Over 1,200 tests are conducted daily, which include the testing of tourists on departure. Most cases reported are amongst local residents and as of October 14, only 11 tourists were reported as active cases.

Sunset villa at Adaaran Vadoo Resort

As a destination, the Maldives has been active in getting tourism back on track and was one of the first destinations to introduce travel insurance with Covid-19 coverage. A successful collaboration with Allied Insurance ensures the coverage of isolation costs, medical treatment, and transport costs to the hospital or place of isolation. Tiered coverage ranges from Allied Inbound to Allied Inbound Plus and includes coverage during travel with a duration of 7 days or more. Insurance must be purchased before arrival in the Maldives.

A negative Corona test (no older than 96 hours) is required on arrival and departure to the Maldives. The requirements for the validity of the test has recently changed from 72 hours to 96 hours, which enables cohesion with major airline partners such as Emirates, who also have a 96-hour validity rule for a negative covid-19 certificate. Furthermore, this alignment increases the possibility to add the Maldives as a weekend combination stay, with a Dubai trip.

Increasing numbers of tourists since opening the borders in July

Since the Maldives opened its borders to international tourists, there has been a positive increase in arrivals. In the third week of October, average daily arrivals accounted for 542 passengers - a positive increase, compared with an average of 246 daily arrivals in August. Though positive, this increase does not compare to the arrival figures for January - March 2020, which were on average 4206 passengers per day.

Christine Engen, CEO United Spirit Nordic

"Despite most of Europe facing additional lockdowns and struggling with changing travel restrictions, we at USN are really happy to sign on a new client and share this positive news!’’ says Christine Engen – CEO of United Spirit Nordic. ‘’The Maldives’ approach on restarting tourism has been a clear and unambiguous strategy from the start and absolutely indicative of how important, income from tourism, is for the country.’’ she adds. Christine makes it very clear that an unambiguous messages, distinct rules and measures to prevent infection as well as infection tracking, only serves to promote transparency for the tourism industry and stakeholders. She also believes that testing before arrival and departure, helps tourists feel secure about booking travel to the Maldives. The Maldives also has the advantage of offering product like One Island - One Resort. Now Nordic tourists can also experience the Maldives at a very favourable price.

Adaaran Meedhupparu

Adaaran Resorts is one of the oldest hotel chains in the Maldives. The chain is part of Sri Lankan Aitken Spence, which owns several hotels and resorts in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and the Middle East.

In the Maldives, the chain boasts six brand products spread over 4 islands. A tailormade experience is available for every need, from luxury to a down-to-earth barefoot vacation, with an authentic feel and atmosphere. The Adaaran Prestige Vadoo is an exclusive resort, featuring overwater villas, with 24-hour butler and personal service. Club Rannalhi offers a more authentic Maldivian experience at an affordable price. With a sea of activities for the whole family, Meedhupparu is the choice, which has a kid’s club, activities for young and old, several restaurants to choose from, and activities from fishing to dolphin watching.

Adaaran Vadoo Resort

Covid-19 protocols and the flexible cancellation policy

It goes without saying that all Covid-19 protocols are followed at all resorts, which also have separate isolation rooms/areas, if necessary. Very flexible cancellation policies are offered: 24 hours for the Resorts by boat transfer and 72 hours from Resorts by seaplane. Guests are encouraged to download the Trace Ekee app before arriving in the Maldives to participate in infection tracking during their stay. All guests to Adaaran are met at the airport, where temperatures are checked, before taking a transfer either by boat or seaplane to the resort. All modes of transport (plane or boat) are disinfected after each departure, and all employees wear both face masks and gloves. At check-in, a health declaration, containing travel and medical history for the last 30 days, needs to be filled out. Thereafter, all guests undergo daily temperature checks, as a safety measure. Adaaran Resorts operates with as few touchpoints as possible, meaning that credit cards are preferred over cash, and e-mail is favored over paper, at check-in, and check-out.

The Maldives is proving to be more easily accessible from Nordic airports, with major carriers such as Emirates, Aeroflot, Qatar, and Turkish Airlines. As of this month, we also welcome back British Airways, Lufthansa, and FlyDubai.

 

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